FIA has an explanation for Ferrari in passing case

Formula 1's governing body said Thursday that it will explain to Ferrari why it did not penalise Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel for an overtaking manoeuvre in the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

FIA believes there is no cause for Ferrari to lodge an appeal that, if successful, would strip Vettel of the title and give it to Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso.

Video footage from Sunday's Brazilian GP appears to show that Vettel passed Jean-Eric Vergne's Toro Rosso's while a yellow caution light was on.

If a rules breach were proven, Vettel would be hit with a 20-second penalty, which would move him from sixth place to eighth in the race and give Alonso the title by one point.

"The incident wasn't reported to stewards in the first place because it didn't seem like there was a need to report it at the time," Norman Howell, the director of communications for the International Automobile Federation (FIA), told The Associated Press. "Now that Ferrari has sent us a letter asking for an explanation we will give it to them."